Five new players have been signed by the Three Pears Warriors Academy for next season.
England Under-18s centre/wing Oli Morris will arrive at Sixways from Saracens Academy. The 20-year-old has played two first team games for Saracens and also helped Ampthill win the National One title while on a dual registration with them. this season.
Gareth Simpson, a scrum-half or fly-half, has arrived from National Two North side Stourbridge having spent the second half of this season training with Warriors’ first team squad and playing in the Premiership Rugby Shield for Cavaliers.
Simpson, 21, has played Currie Cup rugby for Kwa-Zulu Natal in his native South Africa and has paid his way to England to further his playing career.
Warriors have also signed three exciting prospects from this season’s Under-18s side on Academy contracts.
Solihull School pair, full-back Noah Heward and loosehead prop Lewis Holsey, and Worcester Sixth Form College back-row forward Morgan Monks have all impressed in Premiership Rugby Under-18s Academy League or Cavaliers matches this season and will now graduate to the Senior Academy at Sixways.
“We are delighted to welcome Gareth, Oli, Noah, Lewis and Morgan to the Three Pears Warriors Academy,” said Warriors Academy Manager Chim Gale.
“Oli has played England age group rugby with Ted Hill, James Scott and Beck Cutting and he has caused us a few problems when he has played against us.
“He’s played for Ampthill in National One this season so he’s already got experience of senior rugby at a good level and we are delighted that he will be joining us.
“Gareth has spent the second half of the season with us and at Stourbridge where he has performed well. He taken his opportunity and he will benefit from having a full pre-season with us.
“Noah has good game understanding for someone his age, he’s an electric runner and he’ also strong defensively.
“Lewis has been unfortunate with injury this season but he has played for England Under-16s and Under-18s. He’s a powerful, dynamic and explosive loosehead prop.
“Morgan showed in the two Cavaliers matches he played against Northampton Wanderers and Wasps A last month what a good footballer he is, tall and strong but still growing.
“All will train as part of the first team squad which will give them the opportunity to learn from more senior players, to develop their skills and to improve as rugby players and young men.
“With Ted Hill, Will Butler, Ollie Lawrence, Joe Morris and Andrew Kitchener signing their first professional contracts this season, there is a clear pathway from the Academy to the senior squad and the coaches are prepared to give the Academy players opportunities.”
The five new signings will join current Senior Academy players Beck Cutting, Nick David, Tom Dodd, Alex Hearle, Callum Morris, Kai Owen, James Scott and Luke Scully in the Three Pears Warriors Academy.
All have gained valuable experience of senior rugby on dual registrations this season – Cutting, Dodd, Scott and Scully with Hartpury in the Greene King IPA Championship, Hearle, David and Owen with Birmingham Moseley in National One and Morris with Stourbridge in National Two North.
2019/20 Three Pears Academy squad
Beck Cutting
Nick David
Tom Dodd
Alex Hearle
Noah Heward
Lewis Holsey
Callum Morris
Oli Morris
Morgan Monks
Kai Owen
James Scott
Luke Scully
Gareth Simpson